Edward Barnett; a Neglected Child of South Carolina, Who Rose to Be a Peer of Great Britain,—and the Stormy Life of His Grandfather, Captain Williams eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 74 pages of information about Edward Barnett; a Neglected Child of South Carolina, Who Rose to Be a Peer of Great Britain,and the Stormy Life of His Grandfather, Captain Williams.

’There are institutions provided by the laws,
Mr. Johnson, for the reception of paupers. But
we are wasting time. Do you accept my proposition
or not?’

‘I cannot do it; give me time.’

’Too much has been already wasted. Take
back your money. You doubtless can obtain more
in the same manner you did this. It looks very
suspicious, I must say.’

‘And this is called a Christian land!’
said the poor fellow, holding his wasted hands up
to heaven. ’O God, that these things should
be! The earth is covered with food for sustaining
life, and hundreds, aye, thousands, like myself, are
perishing at home. Oh, where is Christian charity?’

‘Charity begins at home,’ said the seaman,
’and seldom casts anchor in any other port.
If you’ll take my advice, you will stow your
cargo and make sail, and hark ye—­’
He whispered a word in the man’s ear; the other
clasped his hands together, and with a tear in his
eye, left the apartment.

‘Woe! woe! doomed!’ cried the mysterious
voice.

Lambert shook like a leaf—­the seaman seemed
to enjoy his terror.

‘How much does Mr. Johnson owe?’ said
he,

‘L5 rent, and L14 costs and taxes.’

‘Write a receipt.’

The mariner paid the sum, and asked how he came so
low.

‘The usual story, captain.’

‘Williams is my name.’

’The usual story, Captain Williams—­sick
wife, large family, broke a leg, wife died, behind-hand
in his rent, steady man, but not punctual in paying
his bills.’

’Why how the thunder could he? Couldn’t
his lordship wait till the poor fellow was a little
recovered?’

‘Business, captain, must be conducted in a business-like
manner.’

‘You thought otherwise once.’

‘When was that, pray?’

’When the father of that man, whom your relentless
cruelty pursues with such vindictive malice, took
you, a friendless boy, fed and clothed you, educated
you along with his own son—­the very man
whose misery you insult—­when his father
saved you from the “charitable institution”
you would send his children to, and finally paid the
fee for articling you to the attorney at Canterbury,
where you learned your present devotion to business.’

The agent stared in speechless astonishment—­the
low musical laugh again rang through the room.

‘Listen!’ said the mariner. ’The
creatures of the air, the beings of another world
denounce you; the victims of your lust for gold, though
buried fathoms deep in the grave, still find a voice
to chill the marrow in your bones: the dead shall
rise from their graves and confront you—­the
hidden perfidy of years shall be disclosed, base tool
of a baser master—­all your machinations
against the wronged and the humble shall fail, and
recoil upon yourselves. Repent ere it will be
too late; you will never more be warned by me.’

So saying, the stout seaman left the astonished agent
and wended his way towards the cottage of the poor
man Johnson, whither we shall precede him. It
is needless to remind the reader that the way was perfectly
familiar to him.